Labour Analyst Austin Gamey has called for a major shift in Ghana’s remuneration framework, urging policymakers to adopt a compensation system that rewards productivity and performance rather than relying primarily on inflation and cost-of-living considerations.
His remarks come as the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission prepares to roll out a new public sector pay policy in October 2026, aimed at reforming salary administration and laying the groundwork for an Independent Emoluments Commission.
Speaking to Citi News on Wednesday, June 24, Mr. Gamey described poor salary administration as one of Ghana’s most enduring labour challenges, noting that it has fueled persistent disagreements over public sector remuneration for many years.
According to him, the country’s inherited salary structure has failed to adequately promote productivity-driven compensation, a situation that affects efficiency across both public and private institutions.
He stressed that remuneration should reflect the value employees bring to their organisations and the economy, arguing that salaries must be linked to measurable performance and output.
Mr. Gamey explained that Ghana’s labour laws already provide a framework for performance-based remuneration by requiring employers to establish clear targets and key performance indicators (KPIs) for workers while providing the necessary resources to achieve those goals.
He noted that employees are expected to contribute meaningfully to organisational growth and productivity, making it necessary for compensation systems to recognise and reward performance.
The labour expert further emphasised that all forms of employee compensation represent a cost to employers and therefore must be justified by tangible results.
While welcoming ongoing efforts to reform public sector pay, Mr. Gamey urged the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Labour, Jobs, and Employment to collaborate in developing a fair, transparent and sustainable compensation structure that balances the interests of workers, employers and taxpayers.
He also called for greater public education on the proposed policy to ensure stakeholders fully understand its objectives and implementation process.
The proposed pay policy is expected to replace politically influenced salary adjustments with a rules-based framework, with the planned Independent Emoluments Commission tasked with determining salaries across public sector institutions.
